House votes to raise tobacco-buying age to 21

Connecticut lawmakers are pushing strongly to raise the age to 21 for buying tobacco products. A man is shown here blowing out a cloud of smoke as he puffs on a small pipe outside Seattle Central College in Seattle in 2016. A plan to push Washington state's smoking and vaping age to 21 passed the Legislature in March, putting the state on the precipice of becoming the ninth state to make such a change. (Elaine Thompson / AP)

The state House of Representatives voted Thursday to raise the age to purchase cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products from 18 to 21 in an effort to deter teen use, prevent addiction and improve overall health.

The bill covers all forms of tobacco, including e-cigarettes, vaping products and chewing tobacco.

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Lawmakers said the bill was necessary because 95 percent of smokers start their habit before reaching 21. The risk of addiction is higher for young people as they have a difficult time quitting, they said.

The bipartisan bill passed 124-22 with all Democrats voting in favor. It now heads to the Senate for consideration.

Proponents hailed the measure as a long overdue improvement in public health.

“It is more than an incremental first step. It is a major step forward,” said Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, a Westport Democrat who co-chairs the public health committee. “This went through a lot of deliberation.”

Some cities and towns in Connecticut, including Hartford, have already passed local ordinances prohibiting stores from selling tobacco products to customers younger than 21.

Rep. Matt Blumenthal, a Stamford Democrat who supported the bill, said he had "a small disappointment that we’re not going after [flavored tobacco products].”

“This is just the latest iteration of a public health battle that has gone on for roughly a century,” Blumenthal said.

“Many years ago when most of our laws surrounding tobacco products were written, the medical evidence on the impact the substance has, particularly on young people, did not exist,” Lamont said in a written statement Thursday. “Continuing the enforcement of outdated laws just because that’s the way it’s always been is not a good enough reason for why they should continue to reflect outdated perceptions. And now, with the rising use of e-cigarettes and vaping products among young people, we are seeing a growing public health crisis. ... Let’s get this bill through the Senate so I can sign it into law.”

The 41-page bill also states cigarette vending machines must be placed in areas that are open only to people over the age of 21.

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Lawmakers debated the definition of a minor and when young people should be treated as adults.

“I could argue that the age should be 25,” Steinberg said of how old people should be to purchase tobacco. “We have not asked for that. ... I will not argue that there’s a perfect number or a number that will work in every instance.”